Imposter Syndrome

Tired Of Feeling Like An Imposter At Work?

Imposter syndrome is the perception that you come up short when compared to your peers. You feel like a phony who doesn’t deserve the success you’ve earned, wondering when you’ll be discovered as the fraud you believe you are.

It Has Deeper Roots Than You May Think…

The paradox of imposter syndrome is that by objective standards, those who suffer from it really are high achievers. Degrees, past, and even recent experiences of success and accomplishments do little to quell the feelings of inadequacy. Being recognized for your success, ironically, can foster feelings of imposter syndrome. Receiving an award, being promoted or being commended for acing an important presentation could all be triggers. One failure after many successes can also stir up feelings of inadequacy and cause you to question your competence.

Imposter Syndrome Affects Men & Women Alike … But You Can Manage It

While Imposter Syndrome is not recognized as a medical disorder, it is very common, affecting 70 percent of the population at least once. Around 35-30 percent of high achievers may suffer from Imposter Syndrome. Recent research has shown that it affects men and women equally.

Here’s What’s Going On When You Feel Like A Fraud At Work

You experience self-doubt. You find it difficult to properly assess your skills. When you perform well, you chalk it up to something external to you such as luck, timing, or teamwork. You don’t take compliments well. You’re hard on yourself, so you over-prepare and over-achieve, but that still is not enough. It manifests itself in anxious thoughts and feelings of inadequacy. You pass up on opportunities because you don’t believe you’re qualified. In essence, you self-sabotage.

How Career Coaching Can Help

Failing to deal with imposter syndrome can stunt your personal and career growth and cause you to miss out on opportunities. A recent study suggests turning to someone outside your academic and professional circle can be “more effective in dampening perceptions of impostorism than seeking support from peers.” A career coach can help you reframe your feelings and truly embrace your accomplishments with confidence.

Developing your skills

You already have the skills that have taken you to where you are in your life and career. The skills needed to overcome imposter syndrome start with a shift in mindset so that you are as convinced of your accomplishments as your colleagues, friends and family are.

Developing executive presence

Once you’ve gained some confidence at your current level and have taken steps to overcome imposter syndrome, it might be time to think about the next level. This is a pivotal point in your career when you might consider ways of cultivating executive presence. Executive presence is a combination of personal traits and outward behaviors that create an image of leadership, competence, and trustworthiness to those around you.

Growing your confidence

It’s important to note that as you move up the career ladder, your confidence doesn’t necessarily arrive at the same time. The higher you go, the more you’re expected to know, making it important to “do the reps” on your current level until you feel confident with where you are.

Learn more about career coaching

A career coach will help you explore and define your professional career-related goals. Through gaining clarity on your personal values, mission and vision, and how they align with your current work situation, you will discover a personal career path to pursue.

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If you still have questions, shoot me an email and I will get back to you right away. If you think you might be ready to give it a try, why not book a free, no obligation discovery consultation.

You Don’t Have To Do It Alone. Often A Few Career Coaching Sessions Is All That’s Required To Change Your Future

What has living and working with imposter syndrome cost your life and career? Are you missing out on opportunities because of self-sabotage? Is it time to overcome that niggling voice that erodes your confidence and prevents you from enjoying your achievements?

If you could overcome imposter syndrome, would a few career coaching sessions be worth your investment?